O’Keefe chases third flag at the helm of Panmure

SIMON O’Keefe will chase a third consecutive Warrnambool and District league premiership at the helm of Panmure.

The Bulldogs yesterday revealed they had reappointed O’Keefe for season 2014.

The decision ends weeks of speculation linking the classy onballer to Panmure, his home club Koroit, Terang Mortlake and South Warrnambool.

O’Keefe said he toyed with staying with Panmure or heading back to Koroit, where he played in three premierships and won two Maskell Medals.

“I was thinking about going back to the Hampden league a little bit and Koroit would’ve been the first choice,” he said.

“I’m happy enough where I am.

‘‘At the end of the day it’s country footy and the main thing is enjoying yourself.

“The last two years have been very enjoyable for me.”

O’Keefe said the chance to coach also factored in his decision.

A return to the Saints would’ve meant playing under respected mentor Adam Dowie. “If you play under a different coach you learn a bit but I’ve been coach for two years and have really enjoyed it,” he said.

“There’s the opportunity to coach the interleague side again, which I really enjoyed too.

“Those sort of things add up. The main thing is I think we can get more out of the playing group.”